Cast Change: Dmytro Popov to sing role of Rodolfo in La bohème on 3 and 7 January

Mexican tenor Rolando Villazón has had to withdraw from singing the role of Rodolfo in La bohème on 3 and 7 January, as he is suffering from acute bronchitis.

The role of Rodolfo on these performances will now be sung by Ukrainian tenor Dmytro Popov, who makes his role debut with The Royal Opera. He made his debut with the Company in 2011 as Ivan Sergeyevich Lïkov (The Tsar’s Bride). Previous roles include Macduff (Macbeth) in Lyons, Bogdane Sobinin (A Life for the Tsar) in Montpellier, and Cavaradossi (Tosca) and Pinkerton (Madama Butterfly) for Deutsche Oper Berlin. He is engaged to sing the role of Rodolfo with the Company on 5 and 18 January.

I have just seen this posting and am absolutely gutted. I am bringing my 86 year old Mother to the Opera House especially to see Rolando and have top price tickets so she could have a good view!! The first and last time she saw La Boheme live was at the ROH on the 3 October 1949. Fate can be very cruel. Best wishes to Rolando for a speedy recovery.

Having booked this especially for our Christmas present, booked rail tickets , a hotel in London and a pre concert meal, we are feeling so sad. We wish Rolando well but feel his substitute will not suffice. The cost of his performance tickets will put us of pre booking in future.

We saw Dmytro Popov as Rodolfo last night and he was fantastic - I am sure none of you will be disappointed. He deserved all the cheers and bravos exploding from the audience at the final curtain. I'm sure he is a rising star.

Having seen the production on Saturday night I have to admit I was disappointed with Popov- drowned phrasing and dodged notes- though I'm not sure Villazón in his current voice would have been any better. Stefania Dovhan, however, surprised me and stunned me with her Musetta- she was worth the ticket price alone! Colline's coat aria was very well sung also. As others have said, none of you will be disappointed overall.

For nine month I looked forward to see mr. villazon sing Rodolfo in La Boheme. When last night came and no Rolanda I wished I stayed in bed. But I must say the production from last night was excellent ,it was wel worth. Coming out of my sickbed for hope mr. villazon will soon feel better but I may never see him sing again..

Dmytros' Rodolfo was a pleasure to watch and listen to at the cinema, and his performance made all the more dramatic after viewing the pre performance interview when he admitted to only now feeling able to take on the role and having the confidence to make the top note in the opening aria. He made it with ease.
Thanks to Antonio Pappano for his wonderful infectiously enthusiastic background and scene setting.

Having seen LaBoheme many times, and heard all the greats sing it, I was completely mesmerized by both the staging and singing, especially of the replacement tenor, Mr. Popov. His voice reminded me of Jussi Bjorling's wonderfully warm tenor voice.